Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

• 

  retiredd volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By retiredrdn - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Too many recalls, some not notified of. Numerous electrical problems which are unsettling for a car of this reputation. At 40,000, had to replace steering gear box and all 4 bearings on wheels. Lack of "neat to have items". Purchased for safety of vehicle and got disappointing reliability.

• 

  Dependable - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Ms Harris - January 23 - 10:33 am

  I have never been so excited over the gas mileage until now. I never knew how important that was. Very, Very dependable, I have not had a single problem with this vehicle to this date.

• 

  Great Family SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By PWD2008 - January 20 - 6:56 am

  Have owned my XC90 for 6 years and worked through several minor but aggravating issues while under warranty. I bought the XC90 for Volvos reputation for safety and reliability, styling, and comfort. Im very satisfied overall performance and this is one of the best highway vehicles Ive owned. The ride is smooth and the 5 cylinder engine is responsive enough for all my needs. On the reliability side, I believe Ford took several cost savings measures and put cheap parts into a high end vehicle. e.g. headlamp cover pitting, rear wheel bearing wear, lug nuts rusting, and electronics problems. Very aggravating.. My 2nd vehicle (Honda Element)is more reliable at 1/2 the price

• 

  I love my XC 60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Rob - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I was in love with the Volvo XC 60 since I first saw it at a secret test shoot in Reno a few years ago. From that moment, I wanted one (and I already owned the Volvo XC 90). I finally bought it a few months and and I absolutely love it. If I have any complaints---they are: 1. Gas Mileage is subpar (the car REALLY gets about 14 MPG in the city, and 21ish on the highway (and I have the smallest engine). 2. Theres a bad blind spot looking out the back window. Other than thats, its fantastic. And...dont buy their navigation system (I didnt). Buy a Garmin NUVI 3790(which is better)and have your autosound dealer install it and save $$. Other than that, I love this car and so will you

• 

  A keeper - 2000 Volvo S70
  By HappyVolvoOwner - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great call, great Value.

• 

  I love my Volvo, but... - 1998 Volvo V70
  By badkitty_abc - January 12 - 10:00 am

  It requires a bit too much maintenance and the O-2 sensor problem is a bit annoying. Overall, I would get another in a heartbeat.

• 

  Disappointed - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Maggie - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car because I thought Volvo would make the smoothest driving, most reliable car out there. Not exactly true. I have had to replace the engine block, rear brakes, and headlights. Had to fix minor repairs to windows, visor mirror and many rattles. This models interior is not very convenient - cup holder and window controls. Also, just had a baby and car seat barely fits. Trading it in for something bigger.

• 

  Great car - true Volvo reliability? - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Luke - January 10 - 12:40 am

  Ive had the car for about 3 months and am a fairly satisfied customer. I spent several months debating between an Audi A4, BMW 325xi and finally settled on the S40. Considering cost, performance, reliability, etc., the Volvo appeared to come out on top. The car worked flawlessly until last week - 2 fault codes: #4 injector failure and evaporative canister purge. Lets hope the dealership service is as good as its reputation. Only drawback so far - poor fuel economy, even with 91 octane. 21 city, 26 hwy @ 65 mph. Still optomistic at this point.

• 

  More than Impressed - 2008 Volvo S40
  By phil - January 8 - 4:16 pm

  Unless your family is morbidly obese, the small foot-printed yet comfortable Volvo S40 is perfect the vehicle. The seats are best in any class and the rear leg room is adequate for people who didnt lose their legs. The driver foot well is a bit narrow, thus an automatic transmission version is recommended. Although the model is 4 yrs old, the face-lifted 2008 has finally done justice for the lines and shape of S40. Its beauty and sophisticated design is up to par with other just released 2008 cars. An attractive Volvo, what has our world come to?! Anyway, you buy Volvo for its comfortable road manner and silky smooth ride. BMW is no longer exclusive b/c they are everywhere.

• 

  Its a Love/Hate Thing - 1999 Volvo S80
  By WaterGirl - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought used from a reputable Volvo dealer and I love the comfort and performance. But, weve had a lot of problems. A software upgrade to fix all ills: Been there, done that-more than once. The radiator, alternator, battery, engine mounts (twice), some seal thing($$), and the fire box(big $$!)have all been replaced. A rear door has been fixed and lots of small things. Notably some finish work is cheap/marker lights fall out, levers and covers breaking, etc. Very disappointing at 50K but Id like another one, I hear theyve worked out the bugs. (The service guy whispered that the transmissions have been problematic, as well $$$!!)